Giant Sequoia Forests in Yosemite

Yosemite's Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is located near the southern entrance to Yosemite National Park just off of Highway 41.

The two-mile road leading to the Mariposa Grove from Highway 41 is open open year round but is subject to closures of extended periods during and after snowstorms. Mariposa Grove is accessible by car but keep in mind that the parking area at Mariposa Grove is rather small and the wait time to get a parking space can be very long at times.

Mariposa Grove is the site of the largest stand of giant redwoods in the Park and has trails for every level of the hiker to walk around and enjoy these beautiful and massive trees. For those unable to make the walk through the grove (most of it is uphill), there is the Big Trees Tram Tour that will take you around so you can get to the major attractions and have the chance for taking pictures.

Mariposa Grove is one of the most well known and most visited Sequoia groves in the world. There are more than 500 mature giant sequoia trees at Mariposa Grove, ranging in age from several hundred to several thousand years old.

The Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree are the most popular attractions at Mariposa Grove. The Grizzly Giant is thought to be Yosemite's oldest living sequoia, at an estimated 1,800 years old according to a park brochure, other web sites say it is closer to 2,700 years old.

If you are planning a visit to Yosemite National Park, you simply have to make Mariposa Grove one of your stops. Mere words cannot express nor pictures show how truly impressive these majestic trees are.